To: TobagoJack who wrote (65339 ) 6/23/2005 3:53:23 AM From: elmatador Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 74559 eplay/TJ: Iran is one of the richest countries in terms of mineral reserves. It has over 3,000 mines in operation employing more than 70,000 people. 20 mining projects commissioned in Iran Thursday, June 23, 2005 - ©2005 IranMania.com LONDON, June 23 (IranMania) - The government plans to launch almost 20 coal and iron ore development projects during the Fourth Economic Development Plan period (2005-2010). Deputy head of planning and development of the Mineral Products Procurement and Production Company, Mohammad-Rasoul Rostami told ILNA that out of 22 schemes, 15 would pertain to development of iron ore mines and 7 to coal production projects with a total funding of 7,800 bln rials and $1.5 bln, ILNA reported. He said the new projects would supply raw material needs of the steel industry and are in line with government's efforts to increase steel production capacity to 28.5 mln tons. "Golgohar's mines #3, Sangan Mine in Khorasan, two mines in Bafq and Yazd each with production capacities of 8 million, 2.6 million, 2.6 million and 2.5 million tons respectively are among the projects to go on stream by 2009, and will add 23 million tons to the current iron ore production capacity," Rostami noted. Annual mineral output is expected to reach 162 million tons in the year to March 2006, said the vice chairman of Iran Mining House here on Wednesday. Known mineral reserves will reach 28.7 billion tons in the same period and by then some 90,000 people will be working in the mining sector. Mineral production reached 150 million tons in the year to March 2005 and exports generated $186 million. Total mineral exports, including metal and non-metal, processed and concentrated minerals as well as raw materials, reached $1.4 billion in the same period. Foreign companies have shown interest in mining projects across Iran while several mines remain unexploited across the country due to lack of funds. Iran is one of the richest countries in terms of mineral reserves. It has over 3,000 mines in operation employing more than 70,000 people. Some 60 kinds of minerals are extracted from quarries across the country. Mineral deposits are estimated at 53 billion tons.